Great Yu Dynasty, Capital City Lingge.
Before dawn, food stalls were already setting up along the streets and alleys. Wisps of steam wafted among the carved beams and embroidered households, painting a picture of prosperity.
A luxurious carriage drawn by fine steeds moved slowly through the bustling streets, coming to a stop before the gates of the Imperial Palace.
Zhao Ci jumped down from the carriage and glanced around at the thriving capital, a wave of emotion washing over him.
'An ancient city with a population of a million in the urban area alone. In my past life on Earth, a city of this scale would be considered medium-sized.'
'A city like Lingge... there's probably no other city in the world that can surpass it, right?'
'It's pretty lucky to transmigrate as a Prince of Great Yu, but these princes are fighting to the death for the throne. Lingge City is filled with daggers in the open and arrows in the dark. A single misstep and I'll get caught in the crossfire. This is really not suitable for a keyboard warrior like me who just wants to live a quiet life. I need to hurry up and find a peaceful place to hide out and let this all blow over.'
Zhao Ci muttered to himself as he yawned and strode toward the palace gates.
The palace guards on duty saw Zhao Ci approach and bowed respectfully. "Tenth Prince!"
Zhao Ci took out his waist token. "The morning court session has already ended, right? I'm here to see my Imperial Father!"
"It ended long ago. His Majesty should be in the Imperial Study right now. This way, Tenth Prince!"
The captain of the palace guards gestured for him to proceed. Although the Tenth Prince before him was a famous good-for-nothing in Lingge, talentless in both literary and martial arts, he was deeply favored by the Emperor. He could enter and exit the Imperial Palace with the most freedom and could even see the Emperor without needing to be announced.
"Mm! Thank you for your trouble!"
Zhao Ci smiled but showed no intention of leaving immediately. His gaze swept over the heads of the guards—or more accurately, over the gray text floating above them.
[Current Wish of Li Meng]: The Tenth Prince is in a good mood today. I hope he'll bestow some silver coins upon us. Wish Fulfillment Reward: Insight +1, Money-Eyed Talisman x1.
[Current Wish of Wang Gen]: The Tenth Prince is in a good mood today. I hope he'll bestow some silver coins upon us. Wish Fulfillment Reward: Insight +1, Money-Eyed Talisman x1.
[Current Wish of Zhang Shuo]: Tenth Pri...
'They all want money. Are they guards or beggars?'
Zhao Ci was a little speechless. The original owner of this body had the habits of a landlord's foolish son and did indeed have a habit of rewarding those around him with silver coins when he was in a good mood.
'Although my personal motto is to not give up a single cent.'
'But I can't let my golden finger's generosity go to waste. This thing only awakened last night, and its rewards are quite generous.'
He immediately took out the purse at his waist and tossed it to the captain of the guards. "Everyone works hard on duty for my Imperial Father. Share this among the brothers!"
Everyone was overjoyed and thanked him profusely.
"You're too kind, Tenth Prince. It is our duty."
[Notification]: Wish fulfilled. Reward obtained: Insight +1, Money-Eyed Talisman x1.
[Notification]: Wish fulfilled. Reward obtained: Insight +1, Money-Eyed Talisman x1.
[Notificati...
Zhao Ci looked at the Talisman Paper in his mind.
[Money-Eyed Talisman]: Can be used to enchant money, forcing it to attract people's attention. The effect varies from person to person. Effective range is within ten meters.
'Whoa! These copy-pasters are so generous!'
Eleven points of Insight and eleven Money-Eyed Talismans were credited to his account.
Zhao Ci was pleased. This Insight could be used to add points to comprehend any Cultivation Technique.
'This Money-Eyed Talisman, though it sounds a bit useless, seems to be a crowd-control skill.'
'Wait!'
'There are twelve guards here, so why are there only eleven rewards?'
He turned his head and saw another line of gray text.
[Current Wish of Huang Duzhe]: It's still a long time until the shift change. I can't hold it anymore. I really want to go to the latrine. Wish Fulfillment Reward: Insight +1, On-Spot Relief Charm x1.
Zhao Ci: "..."
His eyes darted around. "Where is the latrine in the front hall? I drank too much water this morning. Who can take me there?"
Hearing this, Huang Duzhe quickly raised his hand. "Me, me, me, Tenth Prince! I'll take you!"
A moment later.
SPLASH...
[Notification]: Wish fulfilled. Reward obtained: Insight +1, On-Spot Relief Charm x1.
[On-Spot Relief Charm]: When applied to a target, it creates an extremely strong urge to defecate. The effect varies from person to person.
'Whoa!'
'This control skill is amazing!'
Zhao Ci was delighted.
After relieving himself with great abandon, Huang Duzhe looked at Zhao Ci, who was still standing there, and hesitated before speaking. "Your Highness, are you still... building up to it? You're so young, this shouldn't be happening..."
Zhao Ci: "???"
'I'm only here to keep you company, you know! Have I been too nice to you, or have you hit your rebellious phase?'
'This palace guard's examination standard is too lax. How did someone with such low emotional intelligence get in?'
He forced out a few drops, then hurried out of the latrine and rushed toward the Imperial Study.
The remaining guards whispered among themselves.
"Although the Prince's aptitude isn't great, he's a pretty good guy. None of the other princes have ever given us silver coins."
"Hah! The other princes have important business to attend to. They don't need to use silver coins to win people over."
"True! The Royal Family's rules are strict. Even though the Tenth Prince is favored, he has no real abilities and won't get any substantial benefits. Instead, he needlessly incurs the hatred of the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince..."
"Shh! You dare to touch on this topic? You've got a death wish!"
The guards immediately fell silent as cicadas in winter and returned to their posts.
...
「Before he knew it.」
Zhao Ci had already arrived in front of the Imperial Study. He was all too aware of his own situation.
The Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince were exceptionally capable. The former was proficient in the schools of medicine and agriculture, having multiplied the yield of medicinal herbs several times over. The latter was an expert in mechanics, having elevated the quality of military and industrial equipment by a whole level. In terms of cultivation, the two of them were in a league of their own, both top-tier geniuses who had opened four Divine Treasures before the age of twenty-five.
Moreover, both had powerful maternal clans. The future Emperor Yu would certainly be one of them. They were completely beyond his ability to challenge.
Although the other princes also had difficult fates, many were quite talented, with skills in agriculture or finance.
'Even though I'm not a threat myself, my Imperial Father dotes on me, and my mother-consort holds some power. It's not a lot, but it's conspicuous. It's practically a taunt.'
In short, the seven days since Zhao Ci transmigrated had been truly miserable, not because he was being ostracized, but because the script was just too melodramatic. The other princes were like Immortals having a battle, while he and his mother were just being attention-seekers.
'No matter how you look at it, this is the story of Lady Qi and Liu Ruyi!'
'It's true the Emperor is protecting me now, but he's already old. What if one day he just kicks the bucket? What will happen to me?'
'I have to run! I must run away!'
He came today specifically to request to be enfeoffed to his Vassal Territory. Anyway, he couldn't get used to living with his cheap dad and mom, his social relationships in Lingge were a complete mess, and thousands upon thousands of people were waiting to see him make a fool of himself or make a mistake.
'Why get involved in palace struggles in Lingge when I could run off to my own territory and enjoy a life of beautiful wives, charming concubines, and sensual pleasures? Enjoyment is the true meaning of life, okay? And I could be a "dream mentor" on the side. What's not to love?'
A few days ago, he had requested to be sent to his Vassal Territory, but the Emperor had refused. Today, however, he had specially invited a heavyweight helper.
'My win rate this time is at least ninety percent!'
"Imperial Father!"
Zhao Ci knocked on the open door.
In front of the desk in the Imperial Study, a middle-aged man with a weathered face was reviewing memorials. His graying hair was impeccably neat. Although his figure was slightly stooped, he exuded a faint, majestic aura that made one feel an irresistible urge to prostrate oneself in worship.
This was the Martial Emperor of Great Yu, Zhao Huan, a legendary monarch of his generation. He had stabilized the situation when the Great Yu Dynasty was on the brink of collapse, ushering in Great Yu's eighteen golden years.
Everyone in Great Yu, from top to bottom, believed that as long as Zhao Huan lived to be a hundred, he would surely be able to reclaim the lost territories of the Northern Domain and perhaps even have a chance to rebuild the Immortal Martial Dynasty of the pre-Desolate Era.
Unfortunately, although the battle eighteen years ago was a great victory, Zhao Huan had suffered a severe blow to his vital energy. At over fifty years old, he should have been in his prime given his cultivation level, yet his hair had long since turned white, and his appearance was haggard beyond belief.
[Current Wish of Zhao Huan]: For the Royal Pill Workshop to rise and no longer be constrained by the aristocratic families. Wish Fulfillment Reward: Insight +1000, Top-Grade Imperial Extreme Pill x1.
'A Heroic Lord's mind is indeed full of politics... Wait, how much?'
'1000 Insight, and a Top-Grade Imperial Extreme Pill, the Royal Family's ultimate pill... what kind of epic quest is this?'
Zhao Ci was extremely tempted, but this wish was too grand. It was simply not something he could accomplish. He could only wipe away his drool in frustration.
"Ci is here! Come in, come in and sit!"
Zhao Huan put down his memorial and beckoned to Zhao Ci, a kind smile appearing on his face.
Beaming with joy, he looked at the young eunuch beside him. "Xiaolizi, prepare an extra portion of food! Kan Qing, you sit as well. We'll all eat together today."
A moment later, the three of them sat down. The slightly plain dishes steamed with piping hot air.
The old man who sat with them was named Kan Tianji, the Celestial Divination Grand Scholar of Great Yu, responsible for matters of divination and sacrifice.
Though he held no real power, his status was revered, and he was deeply respected by Zhao Huan. Every morning, he would come to the Imperial Study to divine the fortune of Great Yu's governance.
Now, however, he was the helper Zhao Ci had invited.
"Let's eat first!"
Zhao Huan picked up a piece of fatty meat with his chopsticks and placed it in Zhao Ci's bowl. He asked with a smile, "Ci, you came to the Imperial Palace so early in the morning. What's the matter?"
His tone was gentle and his face full of affection, a complete departure from the stern image he presented to outsiders.
Zhao Ci pursed his lips and said, "Imperial Father! I came this time... to talk to you again about being enfeoffed to my Vassal Territory..."
"No! Absolutely not!"
Zhao Huan hadn't expected him to bring this up again. He immediately cut him off, saying with deep distress, "Ci! You are the apple of your mother-consort's and my eye. Let's not even talk about whether I can bear to part with you. If you were to leave, how lonely and worried would your mother-consort be? The ancients said: 'While one's parents are alive, one should not travel far.' Putting aside this royal status, don't you want to fulfill your filial duties?"
Zhao Ci: "..."
'It was the same yesterday. Every time I mention the enfeoffment, this Heroic Lord of a generation becomes very emotional.'
'There's nothing to be done about it. His maternal uncle was Marquis Zhonglie, who sacrificed his life for the country eighteen years ago. He and Zhao Huan were the closest of friends, which is why he and his mother-consort are so favored.'
'However, I have reinforcements today.'
He lowered his head slightly and shot a discreet glance at Kan Tianji.
Kan Tianji understood. He cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty! The Prince is already seventeen years old. Logically, he can be made a king and sent to his Vassal Territory."
"But he is not yet married. How can there be talk of him leaving for his fiefdom?"
"Whether in the capital or in the vassal territories, there are many young women of the right age. It only requires a marriage bestowed by Your Majesty! According to the ancestral rites of Great Yu..."
"Kan Qing, these ancestral rites of Great Yu..."
"The ancestors established the calendar and its rites for profound reasons. I recall that at the founding of Great Yu, the Grand Ancestor Emperor could not bear to be separated from his own flesh and blood and, in a moment of confusion, kept several princes in the capital. As a result, when the Grand Ancestor Emperor suddenly passed away, the 'War of the Seven Princes' nearly tore Great Yu apart. Although strict laws have now been established and the Imperial Clan Court keeps the various kings in check, Your Majesty must also harden your heart and send the kings to their fiefs whenever possible."
"Kan Qing, Ci, he..."
"His Highness has diligently studied the history books since childhood. He respects the rites and abides by the ancestral system, and he deeply understands the hidden dangers of remaining at court in the capital. Moreover, Your Majesty is brave and martial, your Emperor Star shines brightly, and your draconic aura is vast—not something a subordinate star can easily bear. If the Prince does not go to his fiefdom, staying in Lingge for too long may bring great misfortune. Therefore..."
Kan Tianji spoke eloquently, arguing from the rites of Great Yu to the stability of the nation, from the order of the court to Zhao Ci's filial piety.
His arguments were well-founded and convincing, boiling down to a single sentence: there were a hundred benefits and not a single harm in sending Zhao Ci to his Vassal Territory.
Faced with this professional motormouth, Zhao Huan couldn't even find an opportunity to counterattack. After a few failed attempts to interject, he gave up trying.
'Whoa!'
'This helper really is a beast! His mouth is rattling off like a machine gun!'
Zhao Ci was secretly delighted, feeling as if a life of luxury and debauchery was already beckoning to him.
But just then, the golden text about the Pill Workshop on Zhao Huan's forehead dissipated, replaced by another line of red text.
[Current Wish of Zhao Huan]: Ci must not go to his Vassal Territory, or else I'll have to drain him dry ahead of schedule. For the sake of Great Yu, the child will have to suffer a little more! Wish Fulfillment Reward: Insight +100. Stealable Skill: Secret Tome of Organ Swapping.
Zhao Ci: "???"